Olimpia fought hard, using all the heart, the defense, came back and won against Efes keeping itself unbeaten during the second part of the Top 16, fifth win in  a row. Curtis Jerrells was the man tonight with an 11-point fourth period but mostly it was a great defensive effort in the last quarter and the big move by Coach Luca Banchi of using no center in the end to stop Efes’s offense. Great solid game by Gentile too, with Langford’s absence. 76-69 the score. It’s the number 8 win in the Top 16.

THE FIRST HALF – The game is complicated early for Olimpia: an injury to the finger for Hackett, two quick fouls called on Melli, including one with the shot-clock expiring on Bjelica, a Gentile’s dunk hitting the rim. After 5 minutes it’s 9-9 with Samuels at six already. After the time-out, Olimpia steals the ball twice, Jerrells, replacing Hackett, makes two drives and brings Olimpia fron one down to five up at 15-10. But the lead doesn’t stay, Vasileiadis scores two free throws (second foul on Moss), then a drive and finally from three tying it up at 19 at the end of the first. The second period is still rough, there’s no such thing as an easy shot, there’s instead a foul call on Cerella with the shot-clock expiring ant the ball basically loose. On the ensuing inbound play, Batuk makes a three. When Vasileaidis scores on a break, Efes bounces up 29-25. Gentile ties it up at 31 after a couple of baskets but Efes responds again (6-1), Kangur with the first team’s three brings the team back from five down to two. On a possible break right after that, there’s a turnover and it’s Efes to score the ball. At the end of first it’s 39-37 Efes after an Hackett’s drive.

THE SECOND HALF – Efes goes up by seven twice, thanks to a Vasileiadis three-pointer and a couple of defensive mistakes. Hackett scores on a couple of drive, Gentile once and Moss with a corner three, and three fouls, bring Olimpia within two, 46-48. Just after that, Samuels from the line ties it up at 49, but it doesn’t last. Gonlum scores from the paint, Bjelica on a long jumper and at the end of the third it’s 53-49 Efes. Jerrells from three brings Olimpia within two, then Moss does the same with a midrange jumper and Melli posting up. In the middle of the fourth Olimpia is still hanging around, down 59-61. Jerrells with his second three surpasses after forever but Bjelica responds. Moss from the line ties it up at 64. Planinic makes on free throw but Jerrells scores again with a three and Gentile dunks on a break to push Olimpia up by four, 69-65. The defense is full steam ahead, with Kangur, Melli and no centers. Moss from the corner extends the lead at seven and the closing minute is just a show.